Joren nods grimly to Samir and Malachi, then clasps each of his companions' shoulders in turn, tapping the pommel of his greatsword for luck.
"Do what must be done. Remember. Civilians here are seeming restless. Bored. If they come are under attack, rallying them to help may be a choice."
Joren gaze lingers a moment longer on his friends. He tries to guess if his plan and his speech in the arena had done any good at all. A stray thought makes him wonder if he will see of them again. Ashley... he shakes his head as if to clear it. He waits a moment to allow Vilus and Marion a chance to choose for themselves, though he expects and approves of them going to the docks with the others to help with the fires.
Then, clearly still in a bit of pain, Joren walks away towards Jean-Lou's office in the civic building, his echo shadowing him along the rooftops.
Vilus gives a nod understanding what is being offered, he turns to Mal, Samir, Ashley and Marion. "We won't be long, assist the guard and warn of suspicious individuals, rouse everyone you can, the docks will soon become a warzone as the ships arrive, they're not too far out, this thing happens tonight."
And with that Vilus follows after Joren, clapping him on the shoulder in solidarity.
"I was always knowing it would you and me in the end," Joren drawls, deadpan, then thumps Vilus on the shoulder in return with a grin.
"If it is coming to a direct fight here or in Jean-Lou's office, I will bring my echo behind, then swapping so it is in the front. Standing back, please, and letting it take the first hit. And more hits as I keep summoning it. The politics and spy-craft, I am gladly leaving to you."
He begins walking with the goliath towards the civic building.
Ashley holds her head as the vision clears but the pain remains. By the time she looks back up, Joren and Vilus are already in the distance and now a pain hits her heart.
Steeling herself for what must be done, she turns on her heel and faces the fires. “Cmon! Let’s not waste any time!” And she starts running.
“Ashley, are you okay?”Malachi asks with concern as she holds her head. As she urges them forward and starts running toward the docks, Malachi follows. He pauses to surround himself in mage armor with a muttered incantation and a wave of his hands before hurrying to catch up.
"May the Blue Lady keep you safe," Marion says, offering a quick prayer for Joren and Vilus before running off with Ashley, Samir, and Malachi.
Ashley recalls the large supply road along the cliff that overlooks the ocean, and leads the group to the northwest to avoid the tangled and congested Rows. It is along that cliff that they get the full image of what has taken place. The docks are a burning mess of splintered wood. It looks like the walkways have been coated in tar and set alight, along with most of the ships. People below are running about in confusion. Some attempt to put out the fires while others try to save crates and barrels of supplies from the flames. But beyond the inferno float two merchant vessels appearing entirely unscathed.
Continuing at a run, the group heads down the supply road for a few more minutes before reaching the outskirts of the panicked crowd. Pushing through, they arrive at a walkway still mostly intact, but burning intensely. (What is everyone thinking or feeling? And give me perception checks)
Joren and Vilus split off from the rest of the group, keeping a slower pace so Joren can fall into the familiar pace of a ruck march while he catches his breathe and recovers from his wounds. The crowds are not as dense in this direction, and there are many people who seem oblivious to the rising smoke from the harbour, or the chaos at the arena. They quickly overtake the councilors who hadn't much of a head start on them in returning to the council hall. They exchange words of concern amongst one another, but one of them is intent on urging them to save speculation for the emergency meeting, and to make haste. A while later, they arrive at the building in question and head down the hall towards the stairs that lead to Jean-Lou's office and beyond. The entrance to the stair chamber comes into view at the end of the corridor. (What are Joren and Vilus thinking or feeling? And give me perception checks.)
Joren feels a strange kind of fatalistic calm settle over him as some of his reserves of energy return to him during the march. He finds himself remembering the Battle of the Narrows in the mountain pass. The gruesome stalemate and rocky soil red with blood. So many dead. So very many. It is happening again, only this time, it is not two armies blundering into each other in the howling fog. It is well-planned treachery in the service of an evil god.
Quietly, to Vilus (before arriving at the office), he observes, "It is seeming to be a trap, are you agreeing? The odds are seeming long, even assuming we can trust Jean-Lou, which I do, that this is a simple, legitimate summoning. If he was wanting to speak with us, he likely would have been at the Arena. I am thinking he has been captured or co-opted and this note sent to lure us away. Yet on the off chance it is genuine, we must be checking."
Samir hurries along with the others, his thoughts a whirl of confusion, torn between his concern for what might be happening at the docks and the potential danger that Joren and Vilus might be running towards. Everything had erupted into chaos so fast, so unexpectedly. Were it not for the presence and experience of his companions, he knew that he would be lost.
The artificer skids to a halt next to Marion, catching himself on her armored shoulder for a moment to keep his balance. As he rights himself, his face clearly mirrors the overwhelming horror in his mind. The thought of so much loss, the destruction in the distance, the utter terror that pervades the scene. It nearly breaks him for a moment. Samir is no soldier, not familiar with the horror and atrocity of such widespread calamity. For a long moment, he can do nothing but stare at the whipping flames and scrambling people.
And then a scream in the distance seems to galvanize him, bring him back to focus. Who it was, or where precisely it came from is unknown, but it is enough and he begins moving with the others once more. Samir jostles to a stop, fumbling his balance for a moment and only just catching his glasses before they fall from his face.
Vilus is frustrated and downright angry as he follows Joren, falling into a bit of a march too though his is less out of militaristic habit and more to keep a beat going to push him forward and motivate him. He feels like he missed something, that there was more he could have done to prevent this, he is angry that the assassin's sent to take out marigold failed before she escaped out to sea, he is angry that he must now call delirium into question in his mind, he has no doubts that this is a trap, but he is relived upon hearing that the council have taken his advice and called an emergency meeting.
A plan formulates in his mind, "us at the end, maybe, but I don't plan on this being the end... there's more work to do." Vilus nods at Joren, understanding the plan of attack should it be necessary. "If this is a trap then we spring it, and we fight, those who we take down can be used as evidence to bring to the council, I think Jean Lou was definitely trustworthy, that's why he's likely been targeted. We check this out and then we crash that meeting before returning to the others. Right?"
"Right," Joren affirms grimly, sensing Vilus' frustration. Musing that for once, he and the goliath are of like mind. "One more thing."
He glances in his pack. "Having a Potion of Healing here. You fall, I will be feeding it to you. I fall, you are getting it from my pack and feeding it to me."
Joren instinctively moves his echo down to his level and just in front towards the end of their walk.
Vilus nods, "oh one more thing, I figure our friends could do with more reinforcements" and on their way to the council building, Vilus keeps an eye out for any shops that he knows are fronts, or homeless people loitering in areas he knows are secret access points to deliriums web of passages. If he sees any of 'his people' he will telepathically link to them telling them, "inform Nevander that the invasion has begun, all forces are needed to at the docks, or this city will fall."
Back toward to office, Vilus takes a breath, and looks Joren in the eyes, "I saw the look of recognition on you earlier, you speak Giant right? We can use that, keep the enemy on their toes, keep them guessing."
Joren acknowledges Vilus with a simple "Aye" in Giant.
Almost all his interactions in Giant have been with goliath soldiers in The Veil. A terse bunch, goliath soldiers. Whether fighting with him or against.
Discussing the likelihood of it being a trap, both Vilus and Joren immediately pick up on the scent in the air. Neither is a stranger to the smell of blood, and it is thick here. 3 sets of footsteps can be heard around the corner, but no voices. Vilus one of the people sound to be limping, and all three are headed their direction.
(Give me stealth checks)
Samir quickly surveys the devastation, taking in all the destroyed boats. The harbour hadn't been particularly full, especially with the lack of passenger vessels, but the destruction and flames are still a sight to behold. He notices then that the two ships that have escaped the harbour have dropped their anchors not far out, and their sails are furled. Like they are waiting.
His eye drift to the two ships in the harbor, unsure of what has struck his attention at first. Then Samir cocks his head, narrowing his eyes and reaches out and claps his hand on Malachi's elbow. "Mal, those two ships. Shouldn't they be, I don't know, fleeing or moving to help, or well... something?"
"No." Ashley replies empathically to Malachi, but she does not elaborate, so he does not know if she is replying about her head or the situation or what.
As they reach the harbor, the agony of what she sees below hits her hard. She knows what fire can do, she loves fire, but she knows it. It is a powerful weapon and they need to move now. Seeing those ships unmoving... something is wrong there.
She pauses with the other for a moment, holds her head again, but then runs down towards the docks, wanting to help however she can.
Malachi pauses briefly at the top of the road, senses assaulted by the moving crowd, smoke and flames. He pushes through the mass of people, trying to direct them to safety. “Quickly, move this way, away from the docks. Stay calm, no pushing.” At Samir’s comments, he focuses on the merchant ships in the harbor and looks closely, looking for any identifying symbols or signs of troops.(Perception 19 rolled in Discord). “That is odd, why are they just sitting there?” As Ashley continues to push on toward the docks, Malachi follows.
Malachi feels the tendrils in his mind reacting to something. Getting excited, or agitated. And the he hears it. Screams for help. Looking around, he notices there is one ship amidst the blaze that has not capsized yet, about 30 feet away. Flames lick up the side of it, fueled by some kind of propellant. And on the deck, three men are stranded. They are desperately trying to douse the flames, but it takes them too long to draw each bucket up from the water below and the flames are gaining. Though they call for help, none of the bystanders will brave the blaze.
But at the same time, Ashley sees movement on the deck of one of the anchored ships. There is a figure watching the fire from the deck, and for just a moment Ashley sees something glint on their chest. It looks like a badge reflecting the firelight. A badge she realizes she's seen on the chests of some of the councilors at the arena.
Joren and Vilus quietly brace themselves for conflict, just as three men round the corner and start to descend the stairs towards them in a hurry. All three wear common clothes, but one of them has clearly sustained a leg injury that has stained half his pants red with blood. The freeze for a moment upon seeing Vilus and Joren standing in their way
Ashley pauses briefly on her trek to the fires. The reflection of a badge on one of the anchored ships catches her eye. Something bothers her about it. She grabs Malachi's arm and points, "Look, do you know that person? They are wearing a badge like a councilor member. This doesn't seem right at all, maybe call Vilus?"
Moving forward towards the blazes, Ashley lifts her hands one hand above the other, palms facing each other. Casting control flames she starts extinguishing flames in 5' cubes. Assuming Mal shows her the ship with the three men stranded, she will focus her spells on there, trying to put it all out.
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Joren nods grimly to Samir and Malachi, then clasps each of his companions' shoulders in turn, tapping the pommel of his greatsword for luck.
"Do what must be done. Remember. Civilians here are seeming restless. Bored. If they come are under attack, rallying them to help may be a choice."
Joren gaze lingers a moment longer on his friends. He tries to guess if his plan and his speech in the arena had done any good at all. A stray thought makes him wonder if he will see of them again. Ashley... he shakes his head as if to clear it. He waits a moment to allow Vilus and Marion a chance to choose for themselves, though he expects and approves of them going to the docks with the others to help with the fires.
Then, clearly still in a bit of pain, Joren walks away towards Jean-Lou's office in the civic building, his echo shadowing him along the rooftops.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Vilus gives a nod understanding what is being offered, he turns to Mal, Samir, Ashley and Marion. "We won't be long, assist the guard and warn of suspicious individuals, rouse everyone you can, the docks will soon become a warzone as the ships arrive, they're not too far out, this thing happens tonight."
And with that Vilus follows after Joren, clapping him on the shoulder in solidarity.
"I was always knowing it would you and me in the end," Joren drawls, deadpan, then thumps Vilus on the shoulder in return with a grin.
"If it is coming to a direct fight here or in Jean-Lou's office, I will bring my echo behind, then swapping so it is in the front. Standing back, please, and letting it take the first hit. And more hits as I keep summoning it. The politics and spy-craft, I am gladly leaving to you."
He begins walking with the goliath towards the civic building.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Ashley holds her head as the vision clears but the pain remains. By the time she looks back up, Joren and Vilus are already in the distance and now a pain hits her heart.
Steeling herself for what must be done, she turns on her heel and faces the fires. “Cmon! Let’s not waste any time!” And she starts running.
“Ashley, are you okay?” Malachi asks with concern as she holds her head. As she urges them forward and starts running toward the docks, Malachi follows. He pauses to surround himself in mage armor with a muttered incantation and a wave of his hands before hurrying to catch up.
"May the Blue Lady keep you safe," Marion says, offering a quick prayer for Joren and Vilus before running off with Ashley, Samir, and Malachi.
Ashley recalls the large supply road along the cliff that overlooks the ocean, and leads the group to the northwest to avoid the tangled and congested Rows. It is along that cliff that they get the full image of what has taken place. The docks are a burning mess of splintered wood. It looks like the walkways have been coated in tar and set alight, along with most of the ships. People below are running about in confusion. Some attempt to put out the fires while others try to save crates and barrels of supplies from the flames. But beyond the inferno float two merchant vessels appearing entirely unscathed.
Continuing at a run, the group heads down the supply road for a few more minutes before reaching the outskirts of the panicked crowd. Pushing through, they arrive at a walkway still mostly intact, but burning intensely. (What is everyone thinking or feeling? And give me perception checks)
Joren and Vilus split off from the rest of the group, keeping a slower pace so Joren can fall into the familiar pace of a ruck march while he catches his breathe and recovers from his wounds. The crowds are not as dense in this direction, and there are many people who seem oblivious to the rising smoke from the harbour, or the chaos at the arena. They quickly overtake the councilors who hadn't much of a head start on them in returning to the council hall. They exchange words of concern amongst one another, but one of them is intent on urging them to save speculation for the emergency meeting, and to make haste. A while later, they arrive at the building in question and head down the hall towards the stairs that lead to Jean-Lou's office and beyond. The entrance to the stair chamber comes into view at the end of the corridor. (What are Joren and Vilus thinking or feeling? And give me perception checks.)
Joren feels a strange kind of fatalistic calm settle over him as some of his reserves of energy return to him during the march. He finds himself remembering the Battle of the Narrows in the mountain pass. The gruesome stalemate and rocky soil red with blood. So many dead. So very many. It is happening again, only this time, it is not two armies blundering into each other in the howling fog. It is well-planned treachery in the service of an evil god.
Quietly, to Vilus (before arriving at the office), he observes, "It is seeming to be a trap, are you agreeing? The odds are seeming long, even assuming we can trust Jean-Lou, which I do, that this is a simple, legitimate summoning. If he was wanting to speak with us, he likely would have been at the Arena. I am thinking he has been captured or co-opted and this note sent to lure us away. Yet on the off chance it is genuine, we must be checking."
Joren's Perception: 15
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Samir hurries along with the others, his thoughts a whirl of confusion, torn between his concern for what might be happening at the docks and the potential danger that Joren and Vilus might be running towards. Everything had erupted into chaos so fast, so unexpectedly. Were it not for the presence and experience of his companions, he knew that he would be lost.
The artificer skids to a halt next to Marion, catching himself on her armored shoulder for a moment to keep his balance. As he rights himself, his face clearly mirrors the overwhelming horror in his mind. The thought of so much loss, the destruction in the distance, the utter terror that pervades the scene. It nearly breaks him for a moment. Samir is no soldier, not familiar with the horror and atrocity of such widespread calamity. For a long moment, he can do nothing but stare at the whipping flames and scrambling people.
And then a scream in the distance seems to galvanize him, bring him back to focus. Who it was, or where precisely it came from is unknown, but it is enough and he begins moving with the others once more. Samir jostles to a stop, fumbling his balance for a moment and only just catching his glasses before they fall from his face.
Vilus is frustrated and downright angry as he follows Joren, falling into a bit of a march too though his is less out of militaristic habit and more to keep a beat going to push him forward and motivate him. He feels like he missed something, that there was more he could have done to prevent this, he is angry that the assassin's sent to take out marigold failed before she escaped out to sea, he is angry that he must now call delirium into question in his mind, he has no doubts that this is a trap, but he is relived upon hearing that the council have taken his advice and called an emergency meeting.
A plan formulates in his mind, "us at the end, maybe, but I don't plan on this being the end... there's more work to do." Vilus nods at Joren, understanding the plan of attack should it be necessary. "If this is a trap then we spring it, and we fight, those who we take down can be used as evidence to bring to the council, I think Jean Lou was definitely trustworthy, that's why he's likely been targeted. We check this out and then we crash that meeting before returning to the others. Right?"
Perception 17
"Right," Joren affirms grimly, sensing Vilus' frustration. Musing that for once, he and the goliath are of like mind. "One more thing."
He glances in his pack. "Having a Potion of Healing here. You fall, I will be feeding it to you. I fall, you are getting it from my pack and feeding it to me."
Joren instinctively moves his echo down to his level and just in front towards the end of their walk.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Vilus nods, "oh one more thing, I figure our friends could do with more reinforcements" and on their way to the council building, Vilus keeps an eye out for any shops that he knows are fronts, or homeless people loitering in areas he knows are secret access points to deliriums web of passages. If he sees any of 'his people' he will telepathically link to them telling them, "inform Nevander that the invasion has begun, all forces are needed to at the docks, or this city will fall."
Back toward to office, Vilus takes a breath, and looks Joren in the eyes, "I saw the look of recognition on you earlier, you speak Giant right? We can use that, keep the enemy on their toes, keep them guessing."
Joren acknowledges Vilus with a simple "Aye" in Giant.
Almost all his interactions in Giant have been with goliath soldiers in The Veil. A terse bunch, goliath soldiers. Whether fighting with him or against.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Discussing the likelihood of it being a trap, both Vilus and Joren immediately pick up on the scent in the air. Neither is a stranger to the smell of blood, and it is thick here. 3 sets of footsteps can be heard around the corner, but no voices. Vilus one of the people sound to be limping, and all three are headed their direction.
(Give me stealth checks)
Samir quickly surveys the devastation, taking in all the destroyed boats. The harbour hadn't been particularly full, especially with the lack of passenger vessels, but the destruction and flames are still a sight to behold. He notices then that the two ships that have escaped the harbour have dropped their anchors not far out, and their sails are furled. Like they are waiting.
His eye drift to the two ships in the harbor, unsure of what has struck his attention at first. Then Samir cocks his head, narrowing his eyes and reaches out and claps his hand on Malachi's elbow. "Mal, those two ships. Shouldn't they be, I don't know, fleeing or moving to help, or well... something?"
"No." Ashley replies empathically to Malachi, but she does not elaborate, so he does not know if she is replying about her head or the situation or what.
As they reach the harbor, the agony of what she sees below hits her hard. She knows what fire can do, she loves fire, but she knows it. It is a powerful weapon and they need to move now. Seeing those ships unmoving... something is wrong there.
She pauses with the other for a moment, holds her head again, but then runs down towards the docks, wanting to help however she can.
Joren Stealth at disadvantage due to heavy armor: 10
His echo is positioned in front of both him and Vilus.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Vilus switches out to his shadow creature form and pulls out a couple of daggers, he presses himself against the nearest wall and waits to strike.
Stealth, 16
Malachi pauses briefly at the top of the road, senses assaulted by the moving crowd, smoke and flames. He pushes through the mass of people, trying to direct them to safety. “Quickly, move this way, away from the docks. Stay calm, no pushing.” At Samir’s comments, he focuses on the merchant ships in the harbor and looks closely, looking for any identifying symbols or signs of troops.(Perception 19 rolled in Discord). “That is odd, why are they just sitting there?” As Ashley continues to push on toward the docks, Malachi follows.
Malachi feels the tendrils in his mind reacting to something. Getting excited, or agitated. And the he hears it. Screams for help. Looking around, he notices there is one ship amidst the blaze that has not capsized yet, about 30 feet away. Flames lick up the side of it, fueled by some kind of propellant. And on the deck, three men are stranded. They are desperately trying to douse the flames, but it takes them too long to draw each bucket up from the water below and the flames are gaining. Though they call for help, none of the bystanders will brave the blaze.
But at the same time, Ashley sees movement on the deck of one of the anchored ships. There is a figure watching the fire from the deck, and for just a moment Ashley sees something glint on their chest. It looks like a badge reflecting the firelight. A badge she realizes she's seen on the chests of some of the councilors at the arena.
Joren and Vilus quietly brace themselves for conflict, just as three men round the corner and start to descend the stairs towards them in a hurry. All three wear common clothes, but one of them has clearly sustained a leg injury that has stained half his pants red with blood. The freeze for a moment upon seeing Vilus and Joren standing in their way
Ashley pauses briefly on her trek to the fires. The reflection of a badge on one of the anchored ships catches her eye. Something bothers her about it. She grabs Malachi's arm and points, "Look, do you know that person? They are wearing a badge like a councilor member. This doesn't seem right at all, maybe call Vilus?"
Moving forward towards the blazes, Ashley lifts her hands one hand above the other, palms facing each other. Casting control flames she starts extinguishing flames in 5' cubes. Assuming Mal shows her the ship with the three men stranded, she will focus her spells on there, trying to put it all out.